Probe launched after body is found in River Shannon

Gardaí in the Midlands have launched an investigation after the body of a man was recovered from the River Shannon near Athlone last night.

Officers have said they are treating the death as suspicious.

Sometime between 8pm and 9pm last night the body of a man - believed to be originally from Poland - was removed from the River Shannon, close to the Athlone bypass bridge along the M6 Dublin to Galway road.

Gardaí added a post mortem will be carried out today to establish his exact cause of death.

It is believed the man, who is understood to be in his late 20s or early 30s, may have been bundled into a car in Athlone town earlier that evening.

Gardaí have sealed off the scene and are said to be conducting an investigation on the site.

They are appealing for anyone with information in relation to this man's death to contact them at Athlone Garda Station.